Warning: Spoilers ahead for House of the Dragon episode 1House Targaryen's dance with doom has only just begun, but from ancient prophecies to mysterious knights, House of the Dragon episode 1 is already asking big questions. HBO's long-awaited first Game of Thrones spinoff is set approximately 200 years before Ned Stark sends his bastard son to the Night's Watch. Targaryen rule is absolute, Westeros' great houses are (more or less) united, and there's not a White Walker in sight. But as King Viserys I is at pains to point out, the biggest threat to House Targaryen is itself, and the seeds of disharmony receive a generous watering in House of the Dragon episode 1.
Desperate for a male heir, Viserys is left devastated when his wife and son perish during childbirth. Viserys finally does what he should've long beforehand and names his daughter, Princess Rhaenyra, an official successor. Despite the controversy of a female sitting atop the Iron Throne, the king's decision is accepted during a council of the great houses, and everyone lives happily ever after, right? Not quite. Amid the joy of Rhaenyra's promotion, wheels are turning that will threaten the very foundation of House Targaryen.
As said wheels lurch into motion, House of the Dragon deliberately leaves a string of unanswered questions for audiences to mull over until episode 2. Some will likely be answered straight away, but others will simmer gently until reaching boiling point much further into House of the Dragon's timeline, even reaching into Game of Thrones. Here are the biggest unanswered queries from House of the Dragon episode 1.
How Does Aegon's Dream Fit Game Of Thrones Season 8's Ending?
House of the Dragon episode 1 ends on a shocking revelation - Aegon the Conqueror foresaw Game of Thrones' White Walker invasion in a dream, and this troubling vision prompted his initial conquest of Westeros. The closely-guarded secret has passed from one Targaryen ruler to the next, but couldn't have reached the ears of Daenerys, since the House of the Dragon had already fallen by the time she became its mother.
Aegon believed only a united Westeros led by a Targaryen could repel whatever threat came out of the North. As Game of Thrones proves, however, it's actually Arya Stark who lands a killing blow upon the Night King, and Jon Snow (a Targaryen, but not King of Westeros) who builds an army to defend the realm of men. Daenerys Targaryen - the ruler who should inherit Aegon's prophecy - is only a supporting player in the eventual battle. Were the Targaryens really destined to vanquish the White Walkers? Or was Aegon's interpretation of the dream self-serving?
Given that the invasion won't happen for another 200 years and Game of Thrones is already long finished, House of the Dragon probably won't provide a clear answer to this mystery. That duty will be left for George R.R. Martin in his final two A Song of Ice & Fire novels, with Aegon's dream already confirmed as his idea. Only GRRM's books can properly explain the meaning behind what Aegon Targaryen conqueror envisioned, and why destiny chose him.
Who Is House Of The Dragon's Ser Criston Cole?
House of the Dragon episode 1's tourney is full of splintered wood, spilled blood, and raging testosterone, but one cool customer emerges from the wreckage with his reputation enhanced no end. The little-known Ser Criston Cole (played by Fabien Frankel) is a common-born Dornish warrior, and the son of Lord Dondarrion's steward at Blackhaven. Few inside King's Landing had heard of Criston before the tourney, but after he effortlessly defeats every opponent put before him - not to mention Daemon Targaryen himself - the handsome stranger suddenly becomes hot property.
Having made himself something of a celebrity among the royals of King's Landing, Ser Criston will inevitably stick around in House of the Dragon season 1. There's some chemistry a-brewing between Criston and Rhaenyra too, as he charismatically collects her favor after humiliating her uncle. But given how little is known about this newcomer, not to mention the ambition he shows whilst knocking one prestigious young lord after another from their horse, can Ser Criston Cole truly be trusted?
Where Is Matt Smith's Daemon Targaryen Going After Episode 1?
Daemon Targaryen does not take news of Princess Rhaenyra's ascension well. As per the kingdom's existing rule book, he - as King Viserys I's younger brother - should inherit the Iron Throne. Daemon receives Rhaenyra's appointment as an insult, and a harsh exchange of words between brothers sours their relationship further. Viserys orders his rambunctious sibling to return to his wife at Runestone. Instead, Matt Smith's character grabs his favorite King's Landing sex worker, hops aboard his dragon, Caraxes, and flies off into the skies.
Daemon's destination remains ambiguous as House of the Dragon episode 1 draws to a close, but given that episode 2 is titled "The Rogue Prince," viewers likely won't be waiting long to find out. If George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood novel is any indication, Prince Daemon could resurface at the Stepstones, and House of the Dragon episode 1 sets up this development perfectly. During an early small council meeting, Lord Corlys complains about a new pirate-hunting group seizing power at the Stepstones, but King Viserys I is unmoved by his plea. Lord Corlys is also one of Daemon's few supporters on the council, so an alliance already looks likely. What better way for Daemon to prove himself than by quashing a threat the Iron Throne decided to ignore.
Why Does Otto Hightower Send His Daughter To The King?
In the immediate aftermath of losing his wife and infant son during childbirth, King Viserys I Targaryen is an understandably broken man. As the Hand of the King, Otto Hightower decides to cheer his boss up, and sends his daughter, Alicent, to Viserys' chambers wearing one of her dead mother's dresses. Though unspoken, the implication is clear - Otto wants Alicent to seduce the King, slither her way into his heart, and bring more power and prestige to House Hightower. That's some pretty messed-up parenting (although by Game of Thrones' standards, he's still in the running for "father of the year") but Otto's machinations run deeper than merely trying to establish his daughter as the new Queen.
Rhys Ifans' Otto Hightower is the most vocal supporter of Princess Rhaenyra becoming heir to the Iron Throne. While it'd be nice to imagine he's a champion of gender equality and a progressive liberal among the conservative folk of King's Landing, Otto could be playing a game so long even Game of Thrones' Littlefinger would be proud. If Rhaenyra becomes a controversial heir, and then King Viserys sires a son with his next wife (no prizes for guessing who that'll be), the boy would possess a legitimate claim to the Iron Throne over his older half-sister.
Who Will Rhaenyra's Romantic Interest Be In House Of The Dragon?
House of the Dragon episode 1 teases two different love interests for Rhaenyra Targaryen - Daemon (yes, her uncle, welcome to Game of Thrones) and Ser Criston Cole. George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood confirms Rhaenyra and Daemon will eventually marry and continue the Targaryen dynasty, but the source material also establishes feelings between the princess and Criston. Though uncle and niece *shudder* do marry in A Song of Ice & Fire, their nuptials remain some years away from House of the Dragon's current timeline. We know a time skip will happen in House of the Dragon season 1, since older actors for Rhaenyra and Alicent have been announced, but it's possible the Targaryen princess will develop a romantic bond with Ser Criston before eventually wedding her dad's brother further ahead in House of the Dragon, creating a TV love triangle.
Who Is Craghas Drahar, The Crabfeeder?
House of the Dragon episode 1 doesn't introduce any obvious antagonist, with every character occupying a different shade of moral gray. Lord Corlys Velaryon does, however, name-drop Craghas Drahar - a self-styled prince of the Free Cities and leader of the Triarchy. Since Drahar has been busy ridding the Stepstones of pirates, King Viserys I Targaryen isn't duly concerned the Triarchy poses a threat. Nevertheless, the mention of Craghas' name in House of the Dragon episode 1 is enough to rouse suspicions that the so-called Crabfeeder may become a major player soon enough. Between Craghas coming up in conversation at the small council and a tempestuous Daemon fleeing King's Landing, House of the Dragon could be setting up the War for the Stepstones as told in George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood. This conflict pits Daemon Targaryen and Lord Corlys against the Triarchy, and would position Craghas Drahar as House of the Dragon's first true villain.
House of the Dragon continues Sunday on HBO.